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After being discharged from the United States Marine Corps, Stan ends up in Dallas where he intends to finish law school. In the spring of 1976, while attending SMU, he is recruited into the republican party, elected county chairman, and finds himself helping President Gerald Ford in his campaign against Jimmy Carter. The campaign is marred, however by an untimely FBI investigation into the financial dealings of a major party contributor, Brad Thornton. The investigation unleashes an avalanche of misfortune beginning with the alleged murder-suicide of Stan's friend, Ron Shepard, his wife Cindy and their three children and culminating in the resignation of two republican candidates for the 67th District's state representative seat. Stan, who can't believe his best friend could have murdered his family, launches his own personal investigation to clear Rob's name. When the investigation turns up new evidence that threatens members of a powerful Mexican drug cartel, Stan is kidnaped and taken to a secluded place called "the dump" where he is to be murdered and his body burned to prevent identification.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William Manchee is an attorney by trade and practices consumer law in Dallas with his son Jim. Originally from southern California, he lives now in Plano, Texas with his wife Janet. He is the author of the nine volume Stan Turner Mystery series inspired by many actual cases from his past. His other works include Death Pact, Plastic Gods, and a nonfiction book called Yes, We're Open, Defending the Small Business Under Siege which has been published in eight foreign countries as well as the United States.

Received for Review through goodreads firstreads program.A meh mystery. Stan Turner is a hero for whom things simply fall into place and people willingly comply with every request. He talks too much and too freely to the supporting characters, without the expected consequences. If Stan weren't too old (and theoretically mature) the simplistic basis for this novel is more appropriate to an middle-grade reader than adult audiences.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

More About the Author

I'm originally from Ventura, California where I grew up during the 50s and 60s. My wife Janet and I were married while I was attending UCLA and she was attending nursing school. We immediately started having children and had three boys and a girl by the time I graduated from SMU Law School. With four young children we decided to stay in Dallas, where we had family and friends, rather than returning to California. I started law practice in the late 70's and today practice consumer law with my son, Jim. About eighteen years ago I took on a famous romance author as a client and, after working with her for a while, I started wondering if I could write a novel myself. Eventually I gave it a shot and found I really enjoyed the writing process. After that it only took a few generous reviews of my first novel and I was hooked. My current novel, Tarizon: Shroud of Doom is my 20th and my goal is to continue to write a novel a year for the rest of my life.